Tall windmill grass Plant Care
Chloris elata Desv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stapfochloa elata is a species of grass known by the common name tall windmill grass.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tall windmill grass?
Water Tall windmill grass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Tall windmill grass?
Tall windmill grass (Chloris elata) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Chloris genus.
Tall windmill grass displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tall windmill grass produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tall windmill grass?
Chloris elata requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tall windmill grass Need?
Tall windmill grass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tall windmill grass Prefer?
Chloris elata grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Tall windmill grass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tall windmill grass?
Well-draining sandy loam. Good drainage is essential for Tall windmill grass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tall windmill grass?
Feed Tall windmill grass every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Tall windmill grass?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Tall windmill grass?
Tall windmill grass can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to swollen fingergrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tall windmill grass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tall windmill grass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Tall windmill grass?
Tall windmill grass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, cutworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tall windmill grass Need?
Tall windmill grass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Tall windmill grass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Tall windmill grass is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Chloris genus — compare its care with other Chloris species on PlantoScan.
Chloris is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Tall windmill grass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Chloris Species
Other Chloris species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chloris elata Desv., family Poaceae (first published in Mém. Soc. Agric. Angers 1: 177 (1831)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tall windmill grass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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